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2013 Volkswagen Golf officially unveiled in Berlin [video]

Lighter and more efficient

[UPDATE] videos added

Volkswagen has officially unveiled the 2013 Golf at the New National Gallery in Berlin, Germany.

Looking rather conservative, the model adopts an evolutionary design that emphases strong character lines and taut surfaces. Overall, the car measures 4,255mm long, 1,799mm wide and 1,452mm tall. This means the model is 56mm longer, 13mm wider and 28mm lower than its predecessor.

The exterior styling won't win everyone over, but the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. Three different trim levels will be available and even the entry-level Trendline features air conditioning, metallic accents, power windows / locks, a folding rear seat and 15-inch wheels.

All 2013 Golfs will be equipped with an infotainment system that has a screen which measures 5-, 5.8- or 8-inches. Entry-level models have a black and white display that only provides basic information such as vehicle settings, climate control options and the time / date. However, higher-end variants have a proximity sensor which automatically switches the screen from display mode to input mode when a finger is detected near the system. They also have MP3/Bluetooth/iPod/AUX/SD Card connectivity, an optional navigation system and an available UMTS telephone module.

On the safety front, the Golf features multi-collision braking (which brakes the car when an accident occurs), a PreCrash system (which automatically pre-tensions the seatbelts and closes the windows when an accident in imminent) and Adaptive Cruise Control. Other goodies include Front Assist with city emergency braking (which monitors vehicles in front of the car and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent), an XDS electronic locking differential, lane-keeping assistant and a fatigue detection system (which analyzes the driver's behavior and provides audio / visual warnings if they appear sleepy or distracted). There's also Light Assist (which automatically switches the high beams on and off), traffic sign recognition and Park Assist with a 360 degree display of surrounding objects.

The car is also equipped with a driver profile selection system that has five different modes: Eco, Sport, Normal, Individual and Comfort (only on models equipped with the adaptive chassis control system). In Eco mode, the air conditioner and other ancillary systems are optimized to reduce fuel consumption.

Under the hood, there's a variety of new and revised engines. They will come equipped with a start/stop system and brake energy regeneration.

At launch, options include:

A 1.2-liter TSI with 85 PS (63 kW) that consumes 4.9 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 113 g/km

There will also be a BlueMotion variant which averages 3.2 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 85 g/km.

The car also rides on the new MQB platform which helps the model to weigh up to 100 kg (220 lbs) less than its predecessor.

According to Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, "This duty to build sustainable cars in large numbers is something that we've always been conscious of here at Volkswagen. It was therefore important to us to build the most fuel-efficient Golf ever, which at the same time had to remain affordable. And we've succeeded in doing that."

The 2013 Golf will celebrate its public debut at the Paris Motor Show and German pricing starts at €16,975.

Seventh generation of bestseller is up to 100 kg lighter and 23 per cent more fuel efficient than previous model

Wolfsburg / Berlin, 04 September 2012 - Thousands of invited guests experienced the world premiere of the new Golf this evening in Berlin. The New National Gallery proved a fitting venue for the perfected seventh generation of the car that has defined an entire vehicle class with regard to vehicle weight, emissions, comfort and safety.

"Six generations of the Golf - 1974 to 2012. That represents 38 years of continuous success for the world bestseller with sales totalling 29.13 million cars. It has also made a tremendous economic impact, safeguarding jobs, and has served as an influential measure of technical progress over the epochs," says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. The corporate chief continues: "We want to continue this success story in the seventh generation Golf. Although the new Golf is safer, more comfortable and spacious than the previous model, it is up to 100 kg lighter and - in the case of the new 140 PS petrol engine that features cylinder deactivation and a combined fuel consumption of just 4.8 l / 100 km - it is up to 23 per cent more fuel efficient."

Conceptually, the new Golf is based on the Modular Transverse Matrix. This means that everything was redesigned: from the body and powertrain to the interior - as well as all information and entertainment systems and its many new assistance systems. Volkswagen developed two entirely new generations of engines for the Golf that offer a power range from 63 kW / 85 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS. All engine versions are equipped with a standard stop/start system and battery regeneration, which contribute towards improved fuel economy. The common rail engine with 77 kW / 105 PS, for example, which can hardly be made out as a diesel, only consumes 3.8 litres of fuel per 100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. Once again, the Golf BlueMotion sets the new benchmarks for the model series with CO2 emissions of just 85 g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 3.2 litres of diesel per 100 km.

some people simply cannot understand that for VW the golf is like the 911 for porsche. it will Never have MAJOR changes, it doesent matter if u like it or not. and it still is the best selling hot hatch, the best handling.. in short the best compromise. neither of the other car makers has this.

So many people hate this model. What did people expect? its a golf. Mk2 looked like mk1 ect. All it needs is refreshing. Im glad to see it doesnt look like a new megane/Astra. Its plain but so was a standard mk3,mk4 and mk5 ect. Im confident the mk7 GTI and R-line will look more apealing. This car again sets the bench mark for every hatchback out there and always will. Nice work VW.

Although it doesn't have the greatest looks from outside, however, I'm sure it will be the class leader in terms of reliability, drivability, and packed technology, not to mention that it will be the most fun to drive.

since Golf 4 and Golf is not giving revolutionary cars
the Golf 7 is simply a revamped Golf 5
and the bumpers are so much exposed that it looks like it is American-spec car; it reminds me of the old Golf 1 with exposed bumpers
nothing new

Why do people STILL get strung out over the Golf?
Its an evolutionary design ....always has been....always will be
Golfs dont date as quickly as say Mazda 3 or even a 1 series.....1 year after the come out they look dated
The Golf is the Hugo Boss of the car world not the H&M ;)